Automatic razor



SePt- 28, 1954 E. BoBKowlcz 2,690,008

AUTOMATIC RAZOR Filed April '26, 1952 2 Sheets-Sheet l SePt- 2.8, 1954E. BoBKowlcz 2,690,008

AUTOMATIC RAZOR Filed April 26, 1952 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 4to provide anannular driving gear.

Patented Sept. 28, 1954 UNITED STATES TENT OFFICE 5 Claims.

The present invention relates to dry shaving razors and moreparticularly to the type of dry shaving razor which is manually actuatedby contact with the skin surface to be shaved.

There are many and varied forms of dry shavers available which utilize arotating or oscillating blade, or series of blades, in combination withAa stationary perforated screen to achieve the desired shearing action.Many of these employ some form of drive, for example,I electric motors,magnetic solenoids, or spring motors to give the cutting blades thedesired shearing action. As will be appreciated, those driven byelectricity require a power source, while the spring actuated type arenecessarily of fairly complicated structure, and are therefore subjectto mechanical failure over a period of use.

There are other forms of dry shaving devices which are driven by themanual engagement of some portion of the shaving mechanism with the skinsurface to be shaved but in general,y these again are of fairlycomplicated and impracticable structure.

The present invention aims to provide a new type of a dry shaving razorembodying a novel mechanical face friction drive device and which is ofa construction effective in its perfomance and uncomplicated instructure and function, making manufacture a more simple and less costlyoperation than the prior devices known.

Accordingly, the invention is a dry shaving razor having a circularperforated screen, face engaging traction members mounted for rotationabout a central axis with respect to the perforated screen, and a bladesupporting element mounted for rotation on a central axis within thescreen. A plurality of cutting blades are mounted on the bladesupporting element in radially spaced apart relationship with theircutting edges disposed adjacent to the under side of the perforatedscreen surface and there are transmission means between the tractionmembers and the blade supporting element, which are so arranged that thecutting action is always against the grain.

More specifically, in a preferred construction of a dry shaving razor inaccordance with the present invention the face engaging traction membersconsist of a pair of spaced apart circular discs which are mounted onthe outer portions of the razor, so as to be free for rotation withrespect to the perforated screen. Each traction member is shaped so asto be of annular form with the inner peripheral surface being toothedThe central axis on which the blade supporting element is mounted isprovided at each end with a fixed driven gear and intermediate gears aredisposed between the driving gear and the driven gears, so that thetraction members counter rotate the blade supporting element in themanner of a planetary gear arrangement.

The structure of the blade supporting elements are such that theysupport the cutting blades in yielding contact with the under surface ofthe perforated screen and also prevent the perforated screen from anydeforming which might take place through excessive pressure beingapplied thereon.

Preferably, a solid block of material is shaped so as to have aplurality of outwardly extending segments radially disposed about acentral ghub. Each of the segments include means for resilientlysupporting a cutting blade in yielding contact with the inner surface ofthe perforated screen.

The cutting blades utilized are of a variety of forms, all of which aresubstantially self-sharpening when embodied in the present razorconstruction.

In an alternative form of the present razor construction, a similarshaving mechanism is combined with a supporting casing and a stillfurther arrangement of blade supporting element and cutting blades isutilized.

In this construction, the annular type traction members are againutilized, the main difference being in the gearing arrangement whereinthe driven gear consists of a central serrated sleeve bushing on whichthe blade supporting element is mounted. The alternative geararrangement also includes an intermediate gear so that the bladesupporting element is rotated in a direction opposed to the rotationalmovement of the traction members in the manner of a planetary gear.

Both of the preferred constructions are designed so that the finishedrazor construction is of a handy portable size particularly adapted forcarrying in the pocket and each is designed so as to have the minimum ofworking parts.

Having thus generally described the nature of the invention, particularreference will be made to the accompanying drawings illustrating by wayof example preferred construction of dry shaving razors in accordancewith the invention, and in which:

Figure l is a View in perspective of a dry shaving razor constructed invaccordance with the invention.

Figure 2 is a plan view of the razor construction shown in Figure 1.

Figure 3 is an enlarged sectional view of the construction shown inFigure 2 along the line 3 3.

Figure 4 is an enlarged sectional view of the construction shown inFigure 2 along the line 4 4.

Figure 5 is an enlarged sectional view of the construction shown inFigure l along the line 5 5.

Figure 6 is a sectional view of a portion of the construction shown inFigure 2 `along the line 6 6 to show the serrated surface of the bladesupporting element in contact with the lperforated screen.

Figure '7 is an enlarged detail view partially in section of a portionof the outer casing of the razor and an alternative blade constructionto show the means of mounting in more detail.

Figure 8 is an enlarged detail view partially in section of a portion ofthe razor outer casing and an alternative blade construction to show themeans of mounting in more detail.

Figure 9 is an enlarged. detail view partially in section of a portionof the razor construction shown in Figure 3 with an alternative bladeccnstruction to show the means of mounting in more detail.

Figure 10 is a front view in perspective of an alternative dry razorconstruction in accordance with the invention.

Figure 11 is a front view in perspective of the razor construction shownin Figure l0 as it would appear in a suitable carrying case.

Figure 12 is an enlarged sectional view of the razor construction shownin Figure l0 along the line I2 I2.

Figure 13 is an enlarged detail view of the upper portion of the razorconstruction shown in Figure 10, along the line I3 I3 Figure 14 is anenlarged detail view in perspective of a preferred cutting blade.

Figure 15 is an enlarged detail view, partially in section, of one ofthe blade supporting members and a portion of the outer screen to showthe preferred blade mounting means in more detail.

Figure 16 is an enlarged detail view in perspective of an alternativecutting blade.

Figure 17 is an enlarged detail view, partially in section, of the bladeform shown in Figure 16 as it would appear in relation to the outerscreen.

With particular reference to Figures l through 5 of the drawings apreferred construction of a dry shaving razor in accordance with theinvention includes a pair of outer side plates I0 adapted to be graspedbetween the thumb and fingers of the user, a pair of annular tractionmembers I2 which are mounted for rotary mo-tion to the side plates I0,and an outer perforated cylindrical screen I4 that is disposed betweenthe traction members I2 and is xed relative thereto. A blade supportingelement I6 is mounted for rotary movement within the screen I4 about acommon fixed axis with the traction members I2. A transmission means isprovided between the traction members I2 and the vblade sup-portingelement I6 so that rotary movement of the traction members I2, throughmoving engagement with the surface to be shaved, is adapted to rotatecutting blades supported by the element I6 in a direction opposed to thetraction mem- -bers I2.

In order that the function and construction of the elements making upthis construction may be more clearly understood they will now bedescribed in more detail. The side plates lil are of circular outlineand each is recessed on the inner side to accommodate the transmissionmeans which comprises of a planetary gear arrangement. This geararrangement includes as a main driving lgear the inner peripheralportion of each of the traction members I2 which is of toothed formationto provide an annular driving gear 26. Three vintermediate gears 22 aremounted in radially spaced apart relationship Within each side plate i6so as to be in meshed engagement with the annular driving gear 26 and acentral driven gear 24 positioned centrally of each plate I6.

A central shaft 25 connects the plates I0 axially by screws 29 passingthrough each plate Ul into threaded engagement with the outer ends ofthe shaft. A bushing 21 of square outer cross section is slidably ttedover the shaft 25 and serves as a common axle for the blade supportingelement. I 6 and the driven gears 24. The gears 24 and the bladesupporting element it are a drive fit on the bushing 26, the squareouter surface of the bushing making their engagement secure..

With this arrangement, rotation of the trac tion members I2 relative tothe side plates it, causes rotation of the intermediate gears 22 whichin turn act on the driven gears 24 so as to rotate the blade supportingelement I6 in a direction opposed to the rotational movement of thetraction members and at a greatly multiplied speed.

The outer perforated screen i4 is of a circular cylindrical form and issupported about the outer marginal edges by intermediate plates 30. 'Iheplates 3l] are mounted over the bushing 2l with suiiicient clearancetherebetween so that the bushing 21 can freely rotate relative thereto.In order that the screen I4 be fixed relative to the traction members I2and blade supporting element I6 a plurality of pins 4@ are providedwhich extend through the plates 3o into the portions of the outer plateslll intervening the gears 22, see Figure 4. The blade supporting elementI6 comprises of a solid body of overall cylindrical shape with the outersurface of the body recessed longitudinally to provide a plurality ofradially spaced-apart semi-circular recesses 4I. The intervening bodyportions or segments 42 constitute movable bearing surfaces or supportsfor the perforated screen I4. The outer surfaces of the segments 42 aregrooved or serrated circumferentially as indicated at 45 to provideclearance spaces between the screen and blade supporting element toavoid pulling of hair when the element is rotating.

The recesses 4I are each bored centrally to provide recesses 43 ofsufficient dimensions to accommodate shafts and coil springs 52. Theshafts 50 are each threadably engaged concentrically of each opening 43with the coil springs slidably fitting over the shafts.

A plurality of cutting blades 56 are slidably mounted on the shafts 50,one on each shaft, and a screen supporting member 53 is mounted overeach :blade 56 on the upper ends of the shafts 50. The cutting blades 56shown are of a curved form having central curved backing plates 60 sothat under the nuence of the coil springs 52 their cutting edges areresiliently urged into contact with the inner surface of the screen I4.The upper ends of the shafts 50 are formed s0 as to maintain thesupporting members 53 a set distance from the inner surface of thescreen I4 and in spaced apart relationship from the recesses 43 so as toprovide a clearance space for the resilient action of the blades 56. Theouter surfaces of the members 53 are serrated circumferentially in asimilar manner to the main body of the blade supporting element. In analternative arrangement shown in Figure 9, the shafts 5U are replacedbyheaded bolts 350. Each of the blade holding assemblies consist of a pairof curved backing plates 360, a anged cylindrical bushing sleeve 310having a threaded end, and a retaining nut 312. The cutting blades 356shown are of flexible material and are of rectangular form having acentral opening to accommodate the bushing sleeve 316. To mount theblades 356 in operative position, each blade is placed between theplates 366 on the bushing 310 and the retaining nut 312 tightened untilthel blade is in the curved form shown. The assemblies are then placedon the bolts 356, the coil springs 352 mounted in position and the bolts356 screwed into the blade supporting element.

In use, the plates I2 are held between the thumb and ngers and thedevice is moved over the skin surface to be shaved so as to rotate thetraction members I2 by frictional engagement with the skin. As theperforated screen I4 is fixed relative to the traction members I2 thehair protrudes through the perforations and is clipped by the counterrotating cutting blades 56 as actuated through the planetary geararrangement driven by the traction members I2. The screen I4 is providedwith openings I5 so as to allow the cut hair to be discharged from theinterior. The segments 42 of the blade supporting element I 6 actagainst any possible deflection from the circular form of the screen I4and in combination with the supporting members 53 considerable pressuremay be exerted, if necessary, to obtain a close clean shave.

The preferred gear p arrangement shown is adapted to multiply anyrotational movement of the traction members I2 to the blade supportf ingelement and cutting blades so that the minimumpartial rotation of thetraction members Will result in a cutting movement about the entirecircumference of the razor. As will be appreciated, each cutting blade56, or 356 embodies two cutting edges and as there are four such bladessupported in the construction illustrated there are eight cutting edgesdispersed about the periphery of the screen so that the actualrotational movement required to cover the entire screen surface is veryslight.

An alternative cutting blade form |56 and an alternative bladesupporting arrangement is shown in Figure '7. In this arrangement theblade I 56 is of rectangular form having a central opening toaccommodate a headed bolt I50. A channel shaped blade supporting memberi5? is utilized which includes a corresponding opening so that it alsoslidably i'lts over` the bolt |50 and by a coil spring E54 is adapted toresiliently keep the blade I56 in yielding contact with the innersurface of the perforated screen I4.

A still further alternative form of cutting blade |80 is shown in Figure8. This blade is of substantially U-shaped channel form having a centralopening adapted to slidably fit over the bolt 50 so that the coil spring52 urges the blade I80 into resilient contact with the underside of thescreen I4. In order to present sideways or rocking movement of the bladeI80 a curved spacing 6 member I 82 is provided which ts over the bolt 50and bears against the inner corners of the blade.

In the alternative construction of a dry shaving razor according to theinvention shown in Figure 10, the shaving mechanism is illustrated asbeing mounted on a casing 266 adapted to fit Within a carrying case 269as shown in Figure l1.

The shaving mechanism includes a pair of spaced apart end plates 2I6between which are mounted a pair of traction members 2 I 2, a perforatedscreen 2 I3, and a blade supporting element 2I6 which is adapted to berotated Within the screen 2I3k by the traction members 2I2 underfrictional engagement with the surface to be shaved. The tractionmembers 2I2 are supported on the respective end plates 2N and eachmember 2 I 2 has a knurled or serrated outer peripheral surface and aninner toothed peripheral surface so as to provide an annular drivinggear 2I4. A pair of intermediate gears 2I5 are mounted, one on each endplate 2I6, for free rotary movement in meshed engagement with thecorresponding traction member gear 2I4.

A shaft 226 extends between the end plates 2l@ so as to maintain theplates in correct spaced apart relationship and to provide an axle for atoothed sleeve bushing 222. The blade supporting element 2I6 is xedlymounted on the sleeve bushing 222 so that rotation of the sleeve 222counter rotates the supporting element 2I6 at a considerably increasedspeed. This is made possible by the relative sizes of the gears 2I4, 2 I5 and the outer ends of the sleeve bushing 222 which serve as drivinggears 2I'l in the manner of a planetary gear train so that a singlerotation of the traction members 2I2 is multiplied to cause severalrotations in the opposite direction of the blade supporting element 2I6.

The supporting element 216 is a solid member formed so as to have acentral portion 224 and a plurality of blade holding segments 226 whichextend outwardly in radially spaced apart relationship from the centralportion 224. Each of the segments 226 include a rectangular recess 228extending the length of the segment and an elongated slot 236 whichextends through the top of the members into recess 228. Transverseopenings 232 are provided through the slotted top of each element 226into the bottom of the recess 228 to providea means of entry and a seatfor a pair of coil springs 234. A at rectangular plate 236 is slidablytted into each recess 228 on top of the springs 234 so that it isresiliently urged against the top of the recess. With this arrangement,cutting blades 240 in the form of an inverted T are slidably insertedinto each recess 228 on top of the plates 236 so that the cuttingportion 2M of the blade protrudes through the slot 236 and is adapted toresiliently contact the inner surface of the perforated screen 2I3.

The screen 2I3 is perforated for approximately half its circumferencewith the lower portion being provided with a plurality of largerelongated openings 250 to allow cut hair to fall through onto the top ofthe casing 268. The casing 268 includes spaced apart end plates 252between which the shaving mechanism is mounted. Each end plate 252includes a slotted opening 254 adapted to receive the outer ends of theshaft 220 and locking nuts 256 t over the shaft ends to retain the shaft226 in position. In order to prevent rotation of the end plates 2I0 ofthe shaving mechanism, screws 258 are in- 7 sei-.ted through the .casingend plates 252 .into ltlrireaded engagement with the Vplates 2 t0 zateach side.

With reference :to Figure 1.0, the lower portion lof the .casing 2118'is divided into two compa-rtments having .hinged `clos-ure iiaps 260.These may be utilized to carry, for example, a tube of Yshaving lotion Aand a supply of cutting blades B.

A further :alternative form of cutting blade .2 62 is shown in Figure 16and a `preferred means of supporting vsuch .a blade is shown `in Figure17. The blades 252 are of `channel form in general cross section and itis contemplated that they may be used in the first razor construction'shown in Figure l through .5 by substituting a supporting bolt 254 forthe bolts 50. A main feature .of the present invention resides in thefact that, due to the counter-rotating action .of the transmission meansbetween vthe 'traction members and the blade supporting elements, the.cutting action of the blades always takes place .against the grain lorset of the hair as it protrudes through the perf-orated screen. As iswell known in the art, when the cutting takes place with the grain, andif the .cutting blades are not too sharp, there `is a tendency for therazor to pull rather than cut cleanly.

The particular gear .arrangement `used in vthe present razorconstruction, namely, the relatively large annular driving Vgear formedby the traction members and the relatively small intermediate and drivengears, transmits the motion of the transmission members at a multiplesurface speed to the blade supporting members. This results in fast andmultiple cuttings under normal movement of the face engaging membersagainst the skin so as to make this motorless vest pocket type razornearly as elcient as the conventional electric razor.

Further, in spite of the relatively small size of the present razorconstructions, their circular design provides 8 moving cutting bladesagainst the conventional 2 and all 8 cutting blades are cutting againstthe grain, whereas in a .conventional electric razor, due to the usualreciprocal action, the blades cut alternately with and against thegrain.

I claim:

1. A dry .shaving razor, comprising, a circular cylindrical perforatedscreen, .a pair :of circular ,endplates dispersed one at .each end ofsaid screen, a pair of .annular traction members .mounted for vrotationbetween said screens outer ends and said end plates, a shaftA extendingbetween said end plates and concentrically of said perforated screen, ablade supporting element mounted for vrotation on said shaft, said bladesupporting element including radially spaced apart recesses andintervening segments, blade supporting means mounted Within each of saidrecesses, a cutting bladeinounted on each of said blade supportingmeans, a transmission means between said annular traction members andsaid blade supporting element adapted to counter-rotate said bladesupporting .element on `rotation of said traction members.

`2. A dry shaving razor as claimed in claim .1 wherein said bladesupporting element is provided with four blade supporting membersdisposed in vequal radially spaced apart relationship.

3. A dry vshaving razor as claimed in claim 1 wherein each cutting bladeis provided with two cutting edges adapted to resilently contact theinner surface of said screen.

4. A dry shaving razor as claimed in claim 1 wherein said perforatedscreen and shaft are Xed with respect to said traction members and bladesupporting element and said transmission means comprises a planetarygear train.

5. A dry shaving razor, as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of `saidblade supporting means are resiliently biased by a spring positionbetween said supporting means and .said element.

References Cited ,in the iile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTSNumber Name Date 2,120.239 Burgeson June 14, 1938 2,365,861 Brander Dec.26, 1944 2,370,331 ISusunaga Feb. 27, 1945 2,521,597 Moore Sept. 5, 1950FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 59,330 Norway Dec. 5, 1938

